Switzerland in World War II: Switzerland was a neutral country but sometimes it became completely surrounded by axis countries. The allied forces tried to explain these bombings as errors in navigation and weather conditions when it came time to settle matters. Switzerland pointed out the fact that there were neutrality violations. The Swiss Air Force was in no position to defend themselves from these raids. There were too few airmen in number and they also did not have the proper equipment to fight against anyone. Mostly Swiss air space was used to harbor airmen seeking asylum more than anything. Even with these interventions Switzerland was able to remain neutral all throughout the war. Although Switzerland was a neutral country in terms of fighting the war, indirectly It was supporting Germany. By helping Germany throughout the war, Switzerland was able to stay a neutral country. Because Switzerland helped Germany, Germany never went through with any or it’s plans to invade Switzerland.
Home Front:
•How did Switzerland's awareness of the war's objective and nature be characterized? How did propaganda affect their mindset?
“Switzerland: neutral or cowardly?” This was a popular saying that was broadcasted by Television Suisse Romande from Geneva, Switzerland in May 21, 1997. This television program explored the reasons why Switzerland stayed out of the war as a neutral country. The reason for this title was because during the time of the war many billboards read “Switzerland, neutral but not cowardly.” Many people wondered what the reason was behind Switzerland staying neutral was including the Swiss people themselves. The reason behind, Switzerland staying neutral was none other than the fact that they wanted to protect their country first before anything else. They might have turned their backs on many Jews and they may have in some ways helped Germany too. But the fact of the matter was that Switzerland did not have the resources to fight the war not the motivation to fight. The United States only stepped in the war to make sure that war debts would be paid but Switzerland did not have even that reason. Switzerland was very much aware of the horrors that are occurring in their neighboring country but there was really nothing they could do about it. The government was doing it’s by protecting it’s country even though it meant that they would have to collaborate with the “devil.” The propaganda in the country made it seem as though Switzerland was actually a very brave country for staying out of the war and was trying to make the situation seem as though they were not being cowardly. The public felt differently. They were shocked at the fact that their government was working with Germany.
•What were the direct contributions of Switzerland to the war? (patriotic, industrial, political, social, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, religious, and emotional terms?
In terms of how Switzerland contributed to the war, it only did what was absolutely necessary. Switzerland only did what it could to protect it’s country. So politically it stayed out of the picture so as not to harm itself. Economically Switzerland helped Germany by supplying weapons, and other things necessary for war. Socially most of Switzerland was against Germany and was against the mass murders. Most of the country felt that the government was being too selfish and was turning it’s back on those that need to be helped. Although in the grand scale Switzerland did not do much to affect the war it did make small attempts at helping people. One example is the “three circle policy.” This policy stated that there were “good” refugees, less good, and those that would never be allowed into Switzerland. This meant that the boat of refugees to Switzerland was always full of people who desperately needed aid. Also the well known fact is that Switzerland was helping Germany but at the time Germany did not know that Switzerland was helping the allies too. Goods came in and went out through both sides of Switzerland.
•What were the costs and benefits of the war to the Home Front? (goods, services, resources)
The benefits of the war were few to Switzerland but they were very meaningful. Switzerland’s main benefit was not being attacked by other countries and staying untouched. The costs on the other hand were many. Switzerland provided resources and goods to both sides of the war but when the war ended the Allies made Switzerland pay for taking care of Germany’s assets during the war. In 1952 Switzerland and the Allies gave a quarter of Germany’s liquidated assets back to Germany. About $62.5 million was to be shared between the Allies and Switzerland. In the end Switzerland paid the Allies $28 million dollars.
•How can life for women and youth on the Home Front be characterize?
Women and youth in Switzerland unlike those of other countries did not have the opportunity to experience the glory of war. The women stayed very much the same as they did before the war. They did not even receive the right to vote until the 1970s. Women around the world were slowly being liberated because they were realizing during the wars when the men were not there that they could perform all the same tasks that the men could. They also realized that all the restrictions placed on them was unjust. Women in Switzerland were unable to overcome these injustices because their country stayed neutral during the war so there was no reason for these women to do that the men did. The youth in Switzerland grew up only hearing about the war but they did not experience the war at all. They neither experience the “glory” of the war not the downfalls of it. In a way this was beneficial to them in that they did not have to suffer through their youth like all the others youths in the world at that time.
History Switzerland World War II Research - Enaja
Switzerland in World War II:
Switzerland was a neutral country but sometimes it became completely surrounded by axis countries. The allied forces tried to explain these bombings as errors in navigation and weather conditions when it came time to settle matters. Switzerland pointed out the fact that there were neutrality violations. The Swiss Air Force was in no position to defend themselves from these raids. There were too few airmen in number and they also did not have the proper equipment to fight against anyone. Mostly Swiss air space was used to harbor airmen seeking asylum more than anything. Even with these interventions Switzerland was able to remain neutral all throughout the war.
Although Switzerland was a neutral country in terms of fighting the war, indirectly It was supporting Germany. By helping Germany throughout the war, Switzerland was able to stay a neutral country. Because Switzerland helped Germany, Germany never went through with any or it’s plans to invade Switzerland.
Home Front:
- • How did Switzerland's awareness of the war's objective and nature be characterized? How did propaganda affect their mindset?
“Switzerland: neutral or cowardly?” This was a popular saying that was broadcasted by Television Suisse Romande from Geneva, Switzerland in May 21, 1997. This television program explored the reasons why Switzerland stayed out of the war as a neutral country. The reason for this title was because during the time of the war many billboards read “Switzerland, neutral but not cowardly.” Many people wondered what the reason was behind Switzerland staying neutral was including the Swiss people themselves. The reason behind, Switzerland staying neutral was none other than the fact that they wanted to protect their country first before anything else. They might have turned their backs on many Jews and they may have in some ways helped Germany too. But the fact of the matter was that Switzerland did not have the resources to fight the war not the motivation to fight. The United States only stepped in the war to make sure that war debts would be paid but Switzerland did not have even that reason.Switzerland was very much aware of the horrors that are occurring in their neighboring country but there was really nothing they could do about it. The government was doing it’s
- • What were the direct contributions of Switzerland to the war? (patriotic, industrial, political, social, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, religious, and emotional terms?
In terms of how Switzerland contributed to the war, it only did what was absolutely necessary. Switzerland only did what it could to protect it’s country. So politically it stayed out of the picture so as not to harm itself. Economically Switzerland helped Germany by supplying weapons,Also the well known fact is that Switzerland was helping Germany but at the time Germany did not know that Switzerland was helping the allies too. Goods came in and went out through both sides of Switzerland.
- • What were the costs and benefits of the war to the Home Front? (goods, services, resources)
The benefits of the war were few to Switzerland but they were very meaningful. Switzerland’s main benefit was not being attacked by other countries and staying untouched. The costs on the other hand were many. Switzerland provided resources and goods to both sides of the war but when the war ended the Allies made Switzerland pay- • How can life for women and youth on the Home Front be characterize?
Women and youth in Switzerland unlike those of other countries did not have the opportunity to experience the glory of war. The women stayed very much the same as they did before the war. They did not even receive the right to vote until the 1970s. Women around the world were slowly being liberated because they were realizing during the wars when the men were not there that they could perform all the same tasks that the men could. They also realized that all the restrictions placed on them was unjust. Women in Switzerland were unable to overcome these injustices because their country stayed neutral during the war so there was no reason for these women to doThe youth in Switzerland grew up only hearing about the war but they did not experience the war at all. They neither experience the “glory” of the war not the downfalls of it. In a way this was beneficial to them in that they did not have to suffer through their youth like all the others youths in the world at that time.
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